Bongo pot replacement question

[squidmaster]

I found a bongo for cheap, but the seller says the panning pot is busted and will need to be replaced, and that its surface mounted and thus harder than normal to solder in. From my understanding surface mounted means its more or less right on the circuit (?) is this correct? if so it would just mean using extra care when soldering?

Thanks for any input!

edit: Thanks for moving, I couldn't decide which it belonged in